Researchers from the University of Lausanne warn that the expanded 2026 World Cup will generate between five and nine million tonnes of CO2. This spike is driven by the increase to 48 teams and the vast travel distances between host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. While FIFA previously claimed climate neutrality for the 2022 event, analysts point to a growing gap between the organization's sustainability pledges and its appetite for growth. The report highlights that air travel for millions of fans and officials remains the primary driver of these record emissions.
